DIY Vintage Apple Crate for Fall

Tonia Larson

My favorite season is autumn! In Minnesota, we wait for it all year. So far, we have had gorgeous weather and have been spending as much time as we can outdoors. One of the things we always do in the fall is visit an apple orchard. I thought it would be fun to take a plain wooden crate from the craft store and turn it into an apple cart with wheels and a rope handle.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Things You'll Need

Sandpaper

Tack cloth

Wood stain

Cloth rag

Rubber gloves

Paper trimmer

Decoupage glue

Paintbrush

Caster wheels

Screws, nuts and washers

Drill

Rope

Super glue

Thin, flexible wire

Wire cutter

Tip

These plain wood crates are sold at craft stores and even some of the “big box” stores.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 1

Start by sanding and wiping down the box, if necessary. With the rubber gloves on for protection, use the cloth rag to apply stain. I used a dark stain called teak natural. Follow all of the instructions on the stain container, especially the safety instructions.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Allow the stain to dry.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 2

You can leave the crate as-is, or you can add some words or decoration. I made a printable with words that I cut into strips. You can download the printables here: Fresh Apples Printable and U-Pick Printable.

Measure the width of the crate’s slats. Cut the paper into strips of the same width, with the words centered vertically. I tore the ends of each strip to give them a worn look.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 3

Use decoupage glue to adhere them to the box. Allow the glue to dry completely, and then sand the paper to make it look worn.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Here is how it looks before and after sanding. The “for sale” paper in the middle has been sanded, and the “u-pick” paper at the bottom has not. Apply a top layer of decoupage glue for durability, if desired.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 4

Attach caster wheels with screws, nuts and washers. Start by marking where you need the holes to be, and then drill holes before attaching the caster wheels. I put swivel casters on the front of the crate and straight casters on the back.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 5

Make a loop in one end of the rope, put it through the handle and pull the rope ends back through the loop. You should have one short end and one long end.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Glue the short rope end to the long rope end. Secure with a piece of thin, flexible wire for added security. Apply additional glue to the other end of the rope handle to keep it from fraying, or tie it in a knot.

(Image: Tonia Larson)

Step 6

Fill the crate with apples, or use it as a decorative storage bin in your house. We have a crate that is similar to this by our front door. It’s used for hats, mittens and scarves in the winter, and during the summer months, it holds ball caps and gardening gloves.